Singing Games Lesson Plan - Year 1 Lesson 1

In the first lesson of the Singing Games series for Year 1, students are introduced to a variety of engaging musical activities designed to enhance their singing abilities and rhythmic skills. The learning objectives for this lesson include learning new singing games, singing with an awareness of the melody's shape, and synchronising movements such as knee-tapping, hand-clapping, and jumping to a steady pulse. Additionally, students are encouraged to follow musical instructions and cues. The key vocabulary for the lesson comprises fundamental musical terms like 'sing', 'clap', 'jump', and 'pulse'.

The main activities of the lesson involve interactive singing games that encourage participation and solo singing. The 'ALPHABET RONDO GAME' and 'NURSERY RHYME CLAPPING GAME' are two examples where students sing familiar tunes while clapping in unison or with a partner. The 'FRERES JACQUES' circle game and 'MY MUM YOUR MUM' clapping/jumping game further reinforce the concept of moving to a musical beat. These games not only help in building confidence in solo performances but also in understanding rhythm and coordination. The plenary session invites students to share other clapping games they know or have observed, fostering a culture of peer learning and observation. Teachers are provided with detailed instructions and notations for each game, as well as tips on how to effectively teach songs and integrate pulse-based activities throughout the week. This lesson aligns with the National Curriculum, emphasising the experiential learning of pitch and duration, and the expressive, creative use of voice in singing with others.